emotions – Shoutout From The Pit

2026-06-122026-06-11

Episode 0073 A Therapist’s Journey – From Shame to Service

The Old Rucker sits down with this week’s guest Paul Louis, a retired therapist with over 30 years helping vets at the Veterans Administration.
Louis shares the remarkable story of his life, recovery, and decades of service helping veterans overcome addiction, trauma, and PTSD. Growing up in a large but chaotic South Louisiana family marked by alcoholism, dysfunction, and shame, Louis reflects on the experiences that shaped him, his own battle with addiction, and his sobriety journey that began in 1988. He opens up about the devastating loss of his longtime partner during the AIDS crisis, the challenges of living authentically as a gay man in an era of stigma and secrecy, and the lessons he learned through therapy, Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon, and Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families (ACA). Through stories of resilience, gratitude, emotional sobriety, and healing, Louis offers hope to anyone struggling with family dysfunction, addiction, grief, or shame while demonstrating the transformative power of recovery, service, and self-acceptance.

June 20th: Arkansas Soberfest Picnic at the VFW in Cabot, Arkansas

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2026-05-152026-05-14

Episode 0069 Clash of Cultures

The Old Rucker reflects on the emotional collision between what he calls the “culture of darkness” and the “culture of light,” exploring how stress, grief, road rage, media negativity, politics, and everyday frustrations can slowly pull people into chaos and despair. Drawing from personal experiences, including the pain of losing longtime pets and navigating seasons of “death by a thousand cuts,” he breaks down the role emotions, habits, and personal responsibility play in shaping character and recovery. The episode centers on practical tools for rebuilding mindset and stability through positive habits like reading, exercise, meditation, kindness, prayer, and intentional living, while encouraging listeners to reject doom-driven culture and pursue hope, self awareness, and spiritual growth one small action at a time.

Character Carved in Stone by Pat Williams.

June 20th: Arkansas Soberfest Picnic at the VFW in Cabot, Arkansas

Text Us at 501-613-8915

Leave a voicemail 501-613-8915

2026-04-242026-04-23

Episode 0066 Charlie Depression

In this episode the Old Rucker and returning guest Charlie sit down for an unfiltered conversation on depression, anxiety, and the internal battles that don’t always show on the surface, challenging the idea that recovery alone solves everything. Speaking candidly from lived experience, they move beyond statistics into the reality that no one is immune, unpacking how depression can coexist with sobriety, success, and strong relationships while still pulling individuals into isolation, self criticism, and hopelessness. Charlie shares deeply personal moments of recent struggle, describing the paradox of choosing to stay in that “dark place” despite knowing the tools to get out, while both hosts emphasize surrender, connection, and service as imperfect but necessary paths forward. The episode avoids easy answers, instead offering honesty, relatability, and a reminder that while the fight is internal, no one has to face it alone and that simply showing up, speaking out, or being present for someone else can make a critical difference.

June 20th: Arkansas Soberfest Picnic at the VFW in Cabot, Arkansas

Text Us at 501-613-8915

Leave a voicemail 501-613-8915